Mickelson in line to sub for Tiger

Published on Wednesday 23 July 2008 23:36

PHIL Mickelson is in position to replace the injured Tiger Woods and join Masters winner Trevor Immelman, Open champion Padraig Harrington and whoever captures the US PGA title next month at the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda in October.

When one of the season's major winners cannot compete his spot goes to the player who has performed best in the majors – providing, that is, he is a past major winner himself. Mickelson, who won the Masters in 2004 and 2006 and the US PGA in 2005, leads Retief Goosen, a two-time US Open winner, in the points race at the moment.

The world No 2 finished tied fifth behind Immelman at Augusta in April, tied 18th at the US Open behind Woods then tied 19th at the Open last weekend. However, he was never truly in the shakeup at Royal Birkdale following a nine-over 79 in his opening round in blustery conditions.

&#149 After finishing in a tie for fifth at Royal Birkdale, Jim Furyk will look to defend his Canadian Open for the second successive year at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Ontario, starting today. Also in the field is American-based Scot Martin Laird.